Collaborated cross-functionally with all R&D groups (chefs, food scientists, chemists, engineers, process scientists, and biologists) to drive plant-based egg development goals from bench to pilot to manufacturing scales for both raw material generation (upstream) and product production (downstream)Supported process sciences and tech transfer team towards the implementation of protein extraction trials at the large-scale manufacturing facility in Appleton, MNOrganized and assisted product developers and quality teams for product version trials at downstream co-manufacturersOversaw experimental design for product development initiatives while also delivering data analyses to ensure accurate data interpretation and efficient decision-makingProactively managed project timelines through coordinated weekly meetings with team members and leadership in order to drive progress and meet milestones Facilitated effective communication amongst leadership and team members connecting all R&D work towards product developmentPresented R&D updates to senior leadership and executive team membersFostered strong relationships through open communication, knowledge sharing, and collaborative approaches, resulting in successful integration of scientific expertise and engineering principles for innovative egg-based product development and tech transferHelped founded an employee resource group focused on empowering women and minorities (JUST Network for Women and Allies) along with several other female colleagues

Designed experiments using various biophysical tools to understand protein structure and function for both upstream and downstream product developmentMonitored protein secondary structure and thermostability using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively, following changes in the mung bean protein extraction processObserved protein size and complex formation using a combination of SDS-PAGE and size-exclusion chromatography (SEC)Primarily focused on improvements in protein extraction processes by monitoring the native protein yield and functionalityWorked on enhancing protein throughout the upstream and downstream processes by experimenting with food grade chemicalsUsed DSC to observe trends in thermostability amongst mung bean protein and food grade chemicalsCommunicated results and next steps with scientists and non-scientists in all other egg development R&D teams, which helped establish collaboration on all future experiments and leading discoveriesLead and managed the laboratory move for multiple departments which include protein chemistry, molecular biology, and protein automationEffectively presented experiments and experimental design to larger audiences while explaining scientific concepts that allowed for my transition to a larger program/project manager role

Macromolecular NMR SectionStructural Biophysics LabAdvisor: R. Andrew Byrd, Ph.D.Investigated protein-protein interactions and dynamics of E2:E3 ligases through protein structure techniques such as NMR for protein residue assignments, protein structure, and side-chain dynamics. In addition to NMR, I used other biophysical tools to characterize protein structure and functionality which included DSC, Microscale Thermophoresis (MST), dynamic light scattering (DLS), CD spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS), and SEC.

Chemistry – Chemical BiologyAdvisor: Professor Rachel W. MartinSAR studies using NMR methodology; protein expression and characterization of eye lenscrystallins; structure determination of box jellyfish lens crystallin.

Advisor: Professor Amy C. MoskunMeasured emission lifetimes from synthesized pyrene ligands for excimers and monomers

Quantitative Analysis Theory (Department of Chemistry, Whittier College)Calculus and Analytical Geometry II (Department of Mathematics, Whittier, College)

Courses included Transition to College Mathematics, College Algebra Quantitative Reasoning, Elementary Statistics, Mathematics for the Management Sciences, Precalculus, Integrated Precalculus/Calculus, Calculus and Analytical Geometry I and II